Ultra-Processed Foods Lawsuit

The Ultra-Processed Foods Lawsuit targets major food corporations including Kraft Heinz, Mondelez, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestle for their role in the chronic disease epidemic affecting Americans.

Filed in December 2024, this groundbreaking legal action addresses how these companies manufacture and market products containing high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated fats, and other harmful ingredients linked to fatty liver disease, cardiovascular problems, and childhood obesity.

The lawsuit specifically alleges these corporations knowingly designed addictive food products while failing to disclose their connection to serious health risks.

Type 2 Diabetes Risk

Ultra-processed foods dramatically increase type 2 diabetes risk through multiple mechanisms.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, these products create dangerous blood sugar spikes followed by insulin surges, gradually damaging the body’s ability to properly regulate glucose.

Studies cited in the Ultra-Processed Foods Lawsuit show children who regularly consume these products have up to 2-3 times higher risk of developing prediabetes before adulthood.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports particularly alarming trends among minority youth, with rates of new-onset type 2 diabetes increasing most dramatically among populations targeted heavily by ultra-processed food marketing.

Parents involved in the UPF Lawsuit frequently report that their children’s diabetes diagnoses came as a shock, with many unaware that products marketed as “quick energy” or “convenient snacks” could contribute to permanent metabolic damage.

The litigation documents detail how manufacturers’ internal research identified blood sugar impacts but failed to communicate these risks while continuing to target young consumers.

Hypertension: Elevated Blood Pressure & Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

The excessive sodium content in ultra-processed foods creates significant blood pressure risks, even in children.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute confirms that high-sodium diets force the body to retain water to dilute the salt, increasing blood volume and pressure against arterial walls.

Medical records reviewed in the Ultra-Processed Foods Lawsuit reveal children as young as 10 developing hypertension after consistent ultra-processed food consumption.

Many ultra-processed products contain 2-3 times more sodium than recommended daily limits, with some children’s meals delivering an entire day’s sodium in a single serving.

The litigation documents how manufacturers could have reduced sodium content but chose not to, citing concerns about decreased “flavor impact” and “consumer acceptance.”

Parents joining the UPF Lawsuit report their children’s blood pressure normalized after significantly reducing ultra-processed food consumption, demonstrating the direct relationship between these products and hypertension.

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Perhaps the most alarming condition highlighted in the Ultra-Processed Foods Lawsuit is NAFLD.

This disease occurs when excess fat accumulates in liver cells, causing inflammation and potentially permanent damage.

Research from the National Institutes of Health demonstrates that children with NAFLD show a distinctive pattern of liver injury that makes early detection challenging.

Ultra-processed foods contribute to NAFLD in the following ways:

1. High fructose corn syrup, commonly used in these products, is metabolized directly by the liver and converted to fat when consumed in excess
2. Artificial trans fats and certain food additives directly trigger liver inflammation
3. Certain preservatives impair the liver’s natural detoxification processes

Documents obtained during the Ultra-Processed Foods Lawsuit investigation suggest manufacturers were aware of potential liver impacts but conducted limited safety testing for these specific effects.

Unlike adult NAFLD, pediatric cases often begin with inflammation in the portal regions of the liver.

This different disease pattern means children can develop significant liver scarring before conventional tests detect problems.

The litigation presents evidence that some children developed advanced fibrosis (liver scarring) within just 2-3 years of regular ultra-processed food consumption.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has acknowledged gaps in monitoring these combined effects, as many ingredients are tested individually rather than in the complex mixtures found in finished products.

Parents participating in the UPF Lawsuit frequently report that medical professionals never warned them about these potential liver effects.

The process of filing an Ultra-Processed Foods Lawsuit requires understanding specific eligibility criteria and gathering appropriate medical documentation.

As litigation against food manufacturers continues to evolve, parents seeking justice for children harmed by these products need to navigate several important considerations.

Who Qualifies to File a Claim

Qualification for the Ultra-Processed Foods Lawsuit generally centers on demonstrating both exposure to ultra-processed foods and the development of related health conditions.

While specific criteria may vary as the litigation develops, current cases typically focus on:

Children diagnosed with specific conditions:

• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
• Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes diagnosed before age 18
• Hypertension without a family history or other clear causes
• Severe obesity with documented metabolic complications

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports these conditions were once rare in children but have increased dramatically in parallel with ultra-processed food consumption.

Children diagnosed between the ages of 5-17 appear to have the strongest cases, particularly when medical records document the progression of the condition over time.

Parents or guardians must be able to demonstrate regular consumption of ultra-processed foods, which may include:

• School lunch records showing regular purchase of processed items
• Documentation of regular consumption of specific named products
• Purchase records or receipts showing patterns of buying ultra-processed foods
• Food diaries or nutritional counseling records mentioning these products

Importantly, the UPF Lawsuit does not require proof that these foods were the sole cause of health problems, only that they were a significant contributing factor.

The litigation recognizes the multifactorial nature of these conditions while acknowledging the substantial role of ultra-processed foods.

Medical Evidence Needed for Your Case

Building a strong Ultra-Processed Foods Lawsuit requires comprehensive medical documentation.

According to The National Institutes of Health, proper diagnosis of these conditions requires specific testing that should be reflected in medical records:

• NAFLD/NASH claims: Elevated liver enzymes (ALT/AST) documented in blood tests, imaging studies showing liver fat (ultrasound, MRI, or CT scans), liver biopsy results, records of related metabolic conditions, and documentation ruling out other causes of liver disease.
• Type 2 diabetes claims: Blood glucose tests showing elevated levels, HbA1c test results demonstrating sustained high blood sugar, documentation of insulin resistance, records showing progression from prediabetes to diabetes, if applicable, and evidence that diabetes is not Type 1 (autoimmune).
• Hypertension claims: Multiple blood pressure readings over time showing elevation, documentation of attempts at lifestyle modification, records showing the prescription of medication for blood pressure, and exclusion of other potential causes of high blood pressure.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has established guidelines for added sugar content in foods, which can provide context for how certain products exceed recommended limits.

Medical timeline documentation can show the progression of the condition in relation to diet.

Records that demonstrate improvement in health markers after reduction or elimination of ultra-processed foods can significantly strengthen a case, as they establish a direct relationship between the products and the health condition.

Parents considering joining the UPF Lawsuit should gather all medical records before consultation with legal representation.

With extensive experience in consumer protection cases, Jessica Paluch-Hoerman works with litigation leaders and nutritional scientists to prove how ultra-processed food products cause consumer harm.

TruLaw focuses on securing compensation for medical expenses, damages to health, and long-term care costs from food manufacturers who misrepresented products’ health impacts and concealed harmful ingredients.

We understand the health impacts and nutritional harm that Ultra-Processed foods have on your life and provide the personalized guidance you need when seeking justice.

Meet the Lead Ultra-Processed Foods Attorney at TruLaw

Meet our lead Ultra-Processed Foods attorney:

• Jessica Paluch-Hoerman: As founder and managing attorney of TruLaw, Jessica brings her experience in product liability and personal injury to her client-centered approach by prioritizing open communication and personalized attention with her clients. Through TruLaw and partner law firms, Jessica has helped collect over $3 billion on behalf of injured individuals across all 50 states through verdicts and negotiated settlements.

How much does it cost to hire an Ultra-Processed Foods lawyer from TruLaw?

At TruLaw, we believe financial concerns should never stand in the way of justice.

That’s why we operate on a contingency fee basis — with this approach, you won’t face any upfront costs for your legal representation.

Our fee is only collected if we secure compensation on your behalf.

This arrangement allows us to focus on achieving a positive outcome in your case by:

• Court Filings and Legal Documentation: Handling all necessary paperwork, including filing fees and procedural documents, to ensure your case proceeds smoothly through the legal system.
• Research/Data Analysis: Dedicating resources to thoroughly investigate your case and gather the best possible evidence.
• Expert Testimony: Consulting with leading nutritional researchers and health scientists to support your case and demonstrate how consumption of these foods contributed to your health conditions.
• Negotiations and Trial Preparation: Allocating resources to negotiate potential settlements and, if needed, preparing comprehensive trial strategies to present your case in court effectively.

Our digital-first approach simplifies the legal process of qualifying and filing your claim, providing you with the knowledge and confidence needed to make informed decisions about your case.

If you or a loved one experienced health issues related to consuming ultra-processed foods, you may be eligible to seek compensation.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation and determine whether you qualify to join others in filing an Ultra-Processed Foods lawsuit today.